Over 99 passengers onboard a local market boat, popularly known as ‘Blood of Jesus’ were rescued from drowning by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder, Port Harcourt , following a boat mishap in Bukuma River in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The market boat, which was conveying passengers and goods worth millions of naira, was said to have set out from Port Harcourt and heading to Akuku-Toru LGA of the state when it collided with a barge on the River.
The Commander, NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Cajethan Aniaku disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Base Information Officer, Lt. Commander Bridget Bebia.
Aniaku, however, said no life was lost in the accident, adding that the majority of the passengers’ goods were also recovered and secured onboard.
The statement read, “On 29 April 2025, at about 1055 hours, a barge ADAM (Damen Buba), was involved in a head-on collision with a market boat en route to Akuku Toru LGA resulting in significant structural damage to the market boat.
“The incident occurred in the Tuma area, about 300 meters from Naval Security Station (NSS) 035 along the Bukuma, in Degema local government area.
“The Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder personnel deployed to NSS O035, in collaboration with other four Navy gunboats, launched a coordinated and effective search and rescue operation, saving all 99 passengers onboard, despite challenging conditions.
”Due to the fast and organised actions of the rescue team, no fatalities or injuries were recorded.”
“Our personnel acted swiftly ensuring the successful rescue of all passengers and preventing a potential maritime disaster. Their exceptional composure and bravery displayed throughout the rescue effort are worthy of commendation.
“Their timely intervention and prompt response ensured that no lives were lost in the incident as well as the preservation of valuable goods and properties under threat,” the NNS Pathfinder Commander said.
Aniaku gave the commitment that the Nigerian Navy under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, will continue to ensure the security and safety of mariners within the maritime domain.
